The Spanish team went to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as
European champions and enjoyed a record unbeaten streak of 35 matches from 2007 to 2009. Although they lost their first match 1–0 against
Switzerland, they went on to win the group after victories over
Honduras and
Chile, while the Swiss failed to win another match and were eliminated. The Spanish team won all three following knockout matches by a score of 1–0, always scoring in the second half of regular time. The opponents were
Portugal,
Paraguay and
Germany. ===2010 World Cup Final v
the Netherlands=== It was Spain's first and the Netherlands' third appearance in a World Cup final, but neither had ever won a trophy. Spain was the dominating side with 57% ball possession, but the Dutch opponents had several chances as well. In a rough match, referee
Howard Webb showed fourteen yellow cards and sent off Dutch defender
John Heitinga in the second half of extra time, after regular time ended goalless. However, even with the five yellow cards received in the final, the Spanish team was awarded the
FIFA Fair Play Trophy after collecting only eight yellow cards in seven matches. The winning goal was scored by
Andrés Iniesta, a right foot strike from inside the box after an assist by
Cesc Fàbregas. ==Record players==